Practice Nurse - Forest View Medical Centre

We are looking to develop and increase our current Nursing team. We are seeking a motivated and committed Practice Nurse to join our supportive, enthusiastic and friendly team. As a Chronic Disease Management Nurse your role will be varied and wide-ranging: respiratory, diabetes, INR monitoring, wound management, women's health and immunisations. You will be fully supported by our GPs & practice management team and as a patient-focused practice, in-turn you will be asked to deliver the highest quality service to our patients and our practice community.

This position is open to experienced Nurse Practitioners, or to less experienced newly qualified Nurses, for whom support and training will be provided to help with their development in this field. Our staff are highly valued, and career progression is actively supported and encouraged. Hourly rate will vary depending on experience £16.00 to £24.00. The successful applicant will be required to work across our 2 sites in Treorchy and Tynewydd. Informal visits and queries by telephone or email are welcomed.

Main duties of the job:

• To be responsible for the implementation of processes for the effective management of patients with long-term conditions using evidence-based practice including care for elderly and housebound patients.
• Working as a senior member of the practice multidisciplinary team, the post holder will ensure nursing services are delivered effectively to the entitled patient population.
• The Practice Nurse will be responsible for several clinical areas such as infection prevention and control, health promotion, chronic disease management, health promotion, well women and well man clinics, as well as actively supporting the practice management team in the reviewing and delivery of clinical policy and procedure.

Forest View Medical Centre must ensure that the post holder has access to appropriate clinical supervision and an appropriate named individual in the organisation to provide general advice and support on a day-to-day basis.

About us:

This is an opportunity to join a circa 15,000 patient practice which operates over two sites in Treorchy and Treherbert within the North Rhondda Cluster. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes GP Partners, Salaried GPs, a Mental Health Practitioner, Pharmacists and Physiotherapists. The practice is committed to multi-disciplinary team working in its delivery of healthcare to the community.

The practice is a training establishment for GP residents, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Participation in weekly clinical practice meetings would be encouraged - the MDT regularly meets to discuss shared learning, audits, prescribing advice, significant event analysis and quality improvements and practice. The professional development of individuals is recognised and championed including opportunities to extend the scope of practice or progress a specialist interest in an area.

You will be fully supported by our GPs and practice management team and as a patient-focused practice, in-turn you will be asked to deliver the highest quality service to our patients and our practice community.

Job responsibilities:

• To act as the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC Policy providing audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the practice manager.
• To produce the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the practice manager.
• To develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered at the practice.
• To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice.
• To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes.
• To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing.
• To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients' health.
• As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF.
• To diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions as required.
• To prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice.
• To review patient medications to enhance compliance.
• To provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and dosages.
• To co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services.
• To request pathology services and process pathology results as required.
• To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required.
• To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation.
• To ensure read codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team.
• To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers.
• To develop, implement, embed and participate in well woman clinics.
• To develop, implement, embed and participate in well man clinics.
• To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy.
• To assist GPs with minor surgery when required.
• To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately.
• To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies.
• To recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs.
• To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children.
• To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice).
• To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.).
• To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual).
• To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies.
• To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately.
• To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate.

Person Specification:

• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples.
• ECGs.
• Venepuncture.
• Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly.
• Understanding the importance of evidence-based practice.
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy.
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes.
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs.
• Chaperone procedure.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• Effective time management (planning and organising).
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure.
• Clear, polite telephone manner.
• Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel).
• New patient medicals.

Qualifications:

• Registered Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council).
• Chronic Disease Management accredited.

Experience:

• Experience of working in a primary care environment.
• Experience of infection prevention and control measures.
• Experience of working as a practice nurse or community nurse.
• Experience of quality initiatives or audit.
• Experience of chronic disease management.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.